Are your teeth giving you trouble? The cause could be connected to an oral issue; however, it could also be a sign of a bigger medical problem. It is important to understand that the human body works through interconnected systems. As result, dentists are sometimes able to predict serious medical issues during routine dental checkups.
Some of the more serious medical issues are listed below, along with their oral symptoms. This article is in no way meant to act as a substitute for seeing a medical professional. If you suspect a problem with your health, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor.
Diabetes
Gum disease can be a strong indicator of diabetes. Gum diseases include gingivitis and the more serious periodontitis. If you have a family history of diabetes, it may be worth having a conversation with your dentist about the symptoms. We are always concerned with meeting the individual needs of our patients.
Diabetes has the tendency to decrease your resistance to infection, increasing your risk for gingivitis. Plague rich in bacteria can travel into your bloodstream, causing inflammation. In addition to gum disease, you should also be conscious of other symptoms which include bad breath, bleeding gums, oral fungal infections, and loose teeth. Don’t let it get too far. If you are having troubles with your teeth, schedule an appointment with us today.
Heart Disease
Are you too old to be having loose teeth? While your child or grandchild may be excited to put a tooth underneath their pillow, loose teeth are less than desirable in adults. Loose teeth can be a symptom for many issues; one among these is heart disease.
Inflamed gums and gum disease are other signs of heart disease. Especially in the case of periodontitis, gum-borne bacteria have been known to pass through the bloodstream, into your heart. Conditions such as coronary artery disease can be agitated by the internal onslaught of bacteria.
We have access to your family medical history so that we can be aware potential medical problems, oral or otherwise. Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you notice any emerging oral issues.
Oral Cancer
No one likes to hear the word “cancer”. However, it is necessary to discuss the common signs of oral cancer. If you suffer from bleeding sores or have noticed hard lumps in your mouth, these could be precursors to oral cancer. Another major sign is if your bite is no longer aligning properly. While there may be other factors to consider, it is always best to be on the safe side. If you suspect a larger medical issue, please bring it to our attention so that we can address it properly.
Osteoporosis
As we get older, our bones have the tendency to weaken and become brittle. When this happens, we become more susceptible to bone breakage. The loss of tissue associated with osteoporosis can also be noted in your mouth. Loose teeth and a receding gum line may be key signs that a diagnosis of osteoporosis may not be far behind.
Eating Disorders
While people who have eating disorders are obviously aware of their actions, sometimes their behavior is purposely concealed from their medical professionals. It is difficult for our patients to get the help they need when they are not forthcoming about activities that negatively affect their health.
In particular, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa deprive the body of vitamins and minerals needed for proper nutrition. The loss of tooth enamel, especially on the insides of the front teeth, can be a telltale sign of an eating disorder. Other symptoms include dry mouth, sensitive teeth, and bleeding gums.
Be sure to schedule a checkup with us every six months. It is important to see your dentist twice a year in order to head off more serious problems and so that we can establish a baseline for what your “normal” is. We are committed to safeguarding the health of our patients, one checkup at a time.
To learn more about our Troy dentists and the services we offer, please contact us here or call us at (248) 528-2270. Our dental professionals strive to be the very best at providing patients with optimal care while making them feel right at home here in Troy, MI.
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